Each year
fires occurring during the holiday
season injure 2,600 individuals and
cause over $930 million in damage.
According to the United States Fire
Administration (USFA), there are
simple life-saving steps you can
take to ensure a safe and happy
holiday. By following some of the
outlined precautionary tips,
individuals can greatly reduce their
chances of becoming a holiday fire
casualty.
Preventing
Christmas Tree Fires
How
long does it take for a dry
Christmas tree to be fully engulfed
in flames?
Christmas
Tree Fire Hazards
- Special fire safety
precautions need to be taken
when keeping a live tree in the
house. A burning tree can
rapidly fill a room with fire
and deadly gases.
Selecting a Tree for the Holiday
Needles on fresh trees should be
green and hard to pull back from
the branches, and the needle
should not break if the tree has
been freshly cut. The trunk
should be sticky to the touch.
Old trees can be identified by
bouncing the tree trunk on the
ground. If many needles fall
off, the tree has been cut too
long, has probably dried out,
and is a fire hazard.
Caring for Your Tree
Do not place your tree close to
a heat source, including a
fireplace or heat vent. The heat
will dry out the tree, causing
it to be more easily ignited by
heat, flame or sparks. Be
careful not to drop or flick
cigarette ashes near a tree. Do
not put your live tree up too
early or leave it up for longer
than two weeks. Keep the tree
stand filled with water at all
times.
Disposing of Your Tree
Never put tree branches or
needles in a fireplace or wood
burning stove. When the tree
becomes dry, discard it
promptly. The best way to
dispose of your tree is by
taking it to a recycling center
or having it hauled away by a
community pick-up service.
Christmas
Lights
Maintain Your Christmas
Lights
Inspect lights each year for
frayed wires, bare spots, gaps
in the insulation, broken or
cracked sockets, and excessive
kinking or wear before putting
them up. Use only lighting
listed by an approved testing
laboratory.
Do Not Overload
Electrical Outlets
Do not link more than three
light strands, unless the
directions indicate it is safe.
Connect strings of lights to an
extension cord before plugging
the cord into the outlet. Make
sure to periodically check the
wires - they should not be warm
to the touch.
Do Not Leave
Lights on Unattended
Christmas
Decorations
Use Only Nonflammable
Decorations
All decorations should be
nonflammable or flame-retardant
and placed away from heat vents.
Never Put Wrapping Paper
in a Fireplace
It can throw off dangerous
sparks and produce a chemical
buildup in the home that could
cause an explosion.
Artificial Christmas
Trees
If you are using a metallic or
artificial tree, make sure it is
flame retardant.
Candle
Care
Avoid Using Lit Candles
If you do use them, make sure
they are in stable holders and
place them where they cannot be
easily knocked down. Never leave
the house with candles burning.
Never Put Lit Candles on
a Tree
Do not go near a Christmas tree
with an open flame - candles,
lighters or matches.
Finally, as
in every season, have working smoke
alarms installed on every level of
your home, test them monthly and
keep them clean and equipped with
fresh batteries at all times. Know
when and how to call for help. And
remember to practice your home
escape plan.
Christmas
Lights